Desert camping in United States

America's diverse terrain has something for everyone no matter what kind of camping you’re into.

93% (56336 reviews)
93% (56336 reviews)

Popular camping styles for United States

Community favorites in United States

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Public campgrounds in United States

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Star Hosts in United States

12 top desert campgrounds in United States

97%
(4123)

Zion Wright Ranch Eco-Camp

67 sites · RVs, Tents1200 acres · Virgin, UT
Off Grid eco oriented camp on 1200 acres overlooking Zion National Park. Owned and operated by Bill Wright, a rancher whose family has farmed and ranched the land for several generations. A few minutes from Zion’s backcountry trails in the Kolob Terrace Region and approx. 40 minutes to the main gate of Zion NP. Bill Wright is the father of the legendary "Wright Brothers" the family of Professional Rodeo Saddle Bronc riders. You will often see Bill tending the land and moving cattle and horses from your campsite. This off the grid ranch has some of the most stunning views you'll ever encounter. Want a little adventure during your stay? Reserve a 2-hour horseback ride with Bill. He'll finish your ride with one of the most breathtaking vistas you can find of Zion National Park. Our property features many spaced out sites to choose from with bathrooms onsite. Pets and campfires are also allowed.
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$35
 / night
98%
(702)

Bright Star Campground

33 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents20 acres · Cortez, CO
We have COMPLIMENTARY Wifi, Drinking Water, Ice, Hot Showers, Bathrooms, Shade, and an equipped Camper's Kitchen for our guests to enjoy from April 15 - Oct 15! All of our sites and amenities can be booked for RETREATS or Special Events and there are two large covered Pavilions. We customize reservations for small and large groups or longer stays. We do not cram our guests in, the sites are spaced out! There are furnished TIPIS, CAMPING CABINS, TENT, VAN, RV and BOONDOCK SITES. WE ALSO HAVE A NAVAJO HOGAN (wood yurt) OPEN-YEAR ROUND. Our large covered group or meeting site is called The Chapel. Bright Star Campground: Once used as a church camp, it is now a Campground for all to enjoy! We are a perfectly located vacation campground on 20 acres with amenities and wide-open spaces. Amenities include hot showers, an equipped community kitchen, a pavilion with hammocks, tables, ping pong, etc. Enjoy complimentary coffee, filtered drinking water, ice and more. Bright Star Campground is located in the Great Sage Plain in the shadow of Mesa Verde National Park with panoramic mountain/mesa views of the Four Corners region, all only 5 miles southeast of Cortez. We are a cannabis-friendly destination but ask that Cannabis use stay at your campsite, cabin or tipi. There are many things to do/see nearby: Mesa Verde National Park, Canyons of the Ancients, Hovenweep National Monument and Phil's World Mountain Biking. Raft down the Dolores river, maybe rent a SUP or kayak and chill on a quiet reservoir. There are museums and cultural centers in the area as well. Durango is 45 min, Telluride is 1.5 hrs away, and Moab is under 2.5 hours away-including Arches and Canyonlands National parks. The best/nearest airport is in Durango. Cortez has Denver Air (Key Lime Air) with connections to Denver and Phoenix. The nearest large international airport is in Salt Lake City or Albuquerque.
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$38
 / night
96%
(882)

Arrowhead Campground

7 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · Monument Valley, UT
Greetings! Welcome to Arrowhead Campground! Arrowhead Campground is roughly 5 acres of land, sitting right in Monument Valley, Utah. Come stay with us to experience one of the most amazing views in the world! You'll get to experience a full 360 degree view of all the towering red sandstone buttes and mesas. This is great for capturing the best views in the area. You'll experience breathtaking sunsets and sunrises right from your campsite. Great for pictures and photoshoots. The campground offers one of the largest shade structures in the area, with durable white picnic tables. We do allow campfires, so there is a fire-pit for that. The campground is only 2 1/2 miles away from the tribal park and 1 1/4 miles from the nearest highway. It's tucked away and secluded from noise and light pollution. The stars at night are bright and shinny, so you can pitch your tent right underneath them. With that said, Arrowhead Campground will be one of the best campgrounds you'll ever stay at. If you have any other questions feel free to message me with any of your questions. Note: This is a dry campsite. Although, we do offer potable water to fill any water containers up to 10 gallons.
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$40
 / night
98%
(253)

Joshua Tree Lake RV & Campground

109 sites · RVs, Tents20 acres · Joshua Tree, CA
Welcome to Joshua Tree Lake RV & Campground, your go-to destination for a unique and memorable camping experience in Joshua Tree. This family-owned and operated park offers breathtaking views from its 2,300 ft elevation, showcasing the beauty of the Mojave Desert and the surrounding mountains. Whether you're an outdoor enthusiast looking to explore the area or simply seeking a peaceful retreat, Joshua Tree Lake RV and Campground has something for everyone. With panoramic views of the North face of Joshua Tree National Park, the ancient Copper Mountain Hills to the North and East, and exceptional desert vistas, you'll be surrounded by breathtaking landscapes wherever you look. Office Hours: 8:30 - 8 Sunday - Thursday 8:30 - 9 Friday and Saturday Check-in Begins at 12 PM. Checkout is at 11 AM. The campground is situated on the southern edge of the Mojave Desert and boasts some of the best stargazing opportunities in the region. With clear, unpolluted skies, you can enjoy the magnificent night skies and immerse yourself in the beauty of the stars. We want to make your stay as comfortable and enjoyable as possible, so please take note of the following guidelines: Swimming is not permitted in the fishing lake and there is no swimming pool available. Pet owners will be pleased to know that their furry friends are welcome, but there may be an additional fee added to the reservation. Wi-Fi is provided by a third-party company and a separate service fee applies. Please note that we cannot guarantee the speed, rate, or troubleshooting of the Wi-Fi service. For your convenience, a wash station for dishes is available on-site, and the Joshua Tree Laundromat is located 9 miles away in downtown Joshua Tree. For campfires, it is important to keep them contained inside the designated burn barrels and never leave them unattended. In the event of high winds, campfire, and BBQ use may be suspended for safety reasons. So, pack your gear and head to Joshua Tree Lake RV & Campground, your favorite place to stay while you play in Joshua Tree. Experience the magic of the Mojave Desert and all its natural wonders, and create memories that will last a lifetime!
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$15
 / night
94%
(866)

Pioneertown Corrals Camping

60 sites · RVs, Tents6 acres · Pioneertown, CA
The Pioneertown Corrals is no-hook up back lot style camping located on Mane St in the middle of Pioneertown. We are within walking distance of all restaurants, shops and attractions. Campers can Tent, Car, Horse, RV or Trailer camp. There are 2 sinks and 2 flushing toilets, 3 out houses, a designated area for charcoal grilling, NO woodfires but propane can be used at your site. Generator hours are 8am-8pm. There are 7 locally operated shops on the south side of camp on Mane St that offer campers a variety of unique items to shop for. Open Daily General Mercantile: Family Friendly Gift Shop and Camper Check in Location. Pioneertown General Store: New Western Ware and Vintage Clothing store. Xeba Botanica: Locally made Personal care, Skincare, Candles & Perfume. Soukie Modern: Moroccan Inspired Vintage Rugs, Clothing and Home Goods MazAmar Art Pottery: Open Production Ceramics Studio Open on weekends Goats & Soap: Hand spun wool clothing and soap made from local goats. Land Office Art Studio: Jessie Keylons locally made Art The Pioneertown Corrals also has 2 attractions open daily. Pioneertown Film Museum: shows the history of filming in Pioneertown from 1946 to today. Pioneertown Petting Zoo: For 25 cents campers can feed miniature farm animals like goats, sheep, pig, chickens, ducks and turkeys. Fresh eggs for sale in the General Mercantile. Pioneertown has 2 Restaurant/bars located at both ends of camp. Pappy and Harriet's: Open Wed-Mon BBQ Food and live music. Red Dog Saloon: Open every day Mexican food and live music Learn more about this land: Pioneertown was built in 1946 as a movie set for Western movies, including the movies of Gene Autry, The Cisco Kid, Annie Oakley, Judge Roy Bean, and Buffalo Bill, just to name a few! The corrals is back lot style/tail gate style camping. There are 3 bars with 2 music venues within walking distance and some shows will go till midnight or later. **Camp is used for additional parking for Pappys larger outdoor shows and special events, it is highly recommended to check in before 6pm on outdoor show days or you may need to wait till after the show is over to get into camp and set up.** Wild West re-enactment performances take place along Mane Street in Pioneertown on weekend afternoons.
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$30
 / night
93%
(486)

Rabbit Hole Ranch

145 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents40 acres · Alamosa East, CO
The Rabbit Hole Ranch offers beautiful unobstructed views of the majestic Blanca Massif and the Great Sand Dunes and is just a (gorgeous) 35 minute drive from both to include Zapata Falls. The Great Sand Dunes National Park is a must-see, and I am grateful for the opportunity to offer you a place nearby to set up camp and go exploring. Alamosa, the largest town in the SLV, is just 20 minutes away. With a population of around 9,800 Alamosa has that small town feel and has the goods and services you will need. Camping here at the Rabbit Hole Ranch is primitive and dispersed (no numbered sites) and there 30 acres available for you to use. Typically, you will experience a rare kind of solitude and silence that feels…. other-worldly, with incredible sunrises and sunsets filling the enormous skies. On holidays, however, expect it to be busy. Our two Great Pyrenees are here to help keep you and your pets (and our chickens) safe. Please help make their jobs easier by not leaving any food or trash in or around tents. Please keep your pets on leash or under control until you’re comfortably certain they get along with all three of our dogs. This year we have a new Great Pyrenees to greet you, his name is TheoVon and he is huge! Returning this season is KayLee also a GP and and Finn, who is a little Benji lookin rescue from Alaska who just LOVES everyone. :) Quiet time begins at 10:00 pm. Note: Holidays still offer the excellent location and spectacular views, but are likely to be less quiet and far more busy. We do not strictly enforce quiet time during holidays.
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$37.05
 / night
96%
(1582)

Ten Sleep Brewing Co.

17 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · Ten Sleep, WY
Our Brewery is located in a field next to Signal Butte, a beautiful red cliff at the base of the Big Horn Mountains in Ten Sleep Wyoming. We are surrounded by beautiful vistas! Our talented Brewers make some of the best beer in the state! Each small camp site offers a shaded picnic table per site, nearby port a potties, access to limited brewery wifi with incredible vistas all around. A very unique and beautiful brewery camping experience! Please note! It is important to look at each sites description when booking as some sites accommodate different sized camping rigs. Also please note we are located next to a Red Vista RV park. If you turn to soon you will be at Red Vista RV park which has concrete pads. SOOOO if you are at the concrete pads you are in the wrong spot. Check in at Brewery upon arrival. If you love to climb and experience the outdoors this is your place. Rich in history, this ranching town was the halfway point—or ten “sleeps”—between two major Sioux Indian camps. Surrounded by working sheep and cattle farms, today’s Ten Sleep, with a permanent population of only 260 is a fun detour for those on the way to Yellowstone National Park, and to the nearby Bighorn National Forest. Ten Sleep is so close to the Bighorn Mountains that you can’t see them from most places in town—the striking reddish-hued foothills block the view. But you can’t help taking in Ten Sleep Canyon, which rises into the mountains starting about six miles east of town and has grown in the past couple of decades into one of America’s top summer climbing destinations, with more than 800 climbing routes! Our guests also love staying with us! "Camping at a brewery was so convenient for us. The beer was super tasty and it was awesome that all we had to do was walk to our tent afterwards. And it was supercool to spot some pronghorn antelope right on the property." July 19th, 2025 requires tickets to Jalan Crossland Concert to book camping and Labor Day weekend requires ticket purchases to the Wyoming Singer Song Writer Finals Festival to book camping.
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$18
 / night
99%
(180)

Art City Tucumcari

56 sites · RVs, Tents40 acres · Tucumcari, NM
Nestled along the historic Route 66 in Tucumcari, NM, our unique Big Art sculpture park and glamping destination offers an immersive art experience in the heart of nature. Our site features twelve large-scale sculptures crafted by internationally renowned artists, making it an ideal backdrop for photography and a source of creative inspiration. Guests can indulge in luxury with our on-site amenities including outdoor showers, flush toilets, and hammocks perfect for relaxation after a day of exploration. Our outdoor kitchen is fully equipped for your culinary adventures, allowing you to dine al fresco surrounded by breathtaking art installations when available. For convenience and comfort, the site includes bathrooms complete with sinks, all seamlessly integrated with a modern septic system to ensure environmental sustainability. Experience the perfect blend of art, nature, and comfort at our exclusive glamping getaway.
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$40
 / night
96%
(190)

Where The Wild Things Camp

17 sites · RVs, Tents25 acres · La Sal, UT
Come camp Where The Wild Things Camp! Let the awe-inspiring views of the majestic slick rock, sage and juniper surround you in the peace and quiet of this beautifully secluded desert space. Centrally located to the best Canyonlands has to offer, our camp is located on 25 acres less than half a mile from Looking Glass Arch, a popular rock climbing destination which got its name from the conquistadors who would climb to the top and look through a “looking glass” for landmarks that would lead them back to Santa Fe.  Moab is 25 miles to our North, about a 30 minute drive. The nearest convenience store/gas station is in the tiny town of La Sal, 12 miles NE of us. Although the Lasal Jct. now has burger truck, showers, ice and snacks. The nearby La Sal mountains rise to over 12,000 in elevation and is a great place to get out of the heat and enjoy lakes surrounded by beautiful pine and aspen forests. As the name suggests, Where The Wild Things Camp truly is wild and not for everyone. We are off grid, meaning there is NO electricity, no drinking water, and only "spotty" cell phone service is best just anywhere before bathrooms. Make sure to check the weather forecast before coming out and be prepared for anything as the weather here in the desert can be unpredictable and ALWAYS stake down your tents! Porta-Potty's available. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PRACTICE PACK-IT-IN AND PACK-IT-OUT. Trash service not available. NON-AGGRESSIVE dogs are always welcome, however please keep in mind that a lot of our wild friends also live here, such as coyotes, rattlesnakes, deer and antelope. We wouldn’t want your pets or our friends harmed in any way! From Moab: Drive south on Hwy 191 for approximately 23 miles and turn right (east) onto Looking Glass Rd/Co. Rd. 131 (It will be the first right after La Sal Junction) Continue on this road for 1.4 miles until you see a wide gravel road branching off to the left. Turn left, this road will branch again in .03 miles, turn to the right and continue straight (another .5 mile to WHERE THE WILD THINGS CAMP!! From Monticello: Drive north on Hwy 191 for approximately 31 miles and turn left onto Looking Glass Rd/Co. Rd 131 (It will be the first left after Wilson Arch). https://earth.google.com/earth... Moab: 25 miles Canyon Rims Recreation Area: 12 miles La Sal: 12 miles Monticello: 33 miles Blanding: 54 miles Bluff: 79 miles Mexican Hat: 104 miles Monument Valley: 126 miles
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$45
 / night
94%
(17)

Up The Creek Campground

9 sites · Tents1 acres · Moab, UT
Your quest to find a tent only Moab Campground can stop. Base all of your adventures and exploring in Arches & Canyonlands National Parks from Moab's best, Up the Creek Campground. Just two blocks from Main Street, Up The Creek is a cozy, urban campground - an oasis of peace and relaxation in the heart of Moab. Our 16 site, tent-only, park &; walk to your site campground is nestled within a grove of large shade trees next to a cooling perennial stream. We are located off the beaten path, yet a just a short walk to Moab's many restaurants and shops. Our close proximity to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks as well as the World Famous Slick Rock Bike Trail gives you easy access to any adventure you choose! Pricing is as follows: $/night for 1 person; each additional person in a site is $7 Friday and Saturday is $3 for 1 plus $9/person additional Below (at the bottom of this email and copied from the website) is the checklist of items guests must acknowledge before booking on our site. In addition, we have the following Disclaimer & Etiquette items: Disclaimer We are a tiny, cozy Urban Campground located right in the bustling town of Moab next to the newly constructed middle school. We are nestled within a grove of large shade trees, and beautiful landscaping, and next to a cool perennial stream. (Please keep in mind that if you are coming in the early spring, there will not be foliage or flowers yet and camp will look more bare than the website photos! Also, note that the creek's flow is variable throughout the year) We are just 2 blocks off of the Main street, close to shopping, restaurants and the bike/walking path. We are a self check-in, (no onsite office), tent-only, walk-in only (park and walk in), campground. (No cars in camp, no camping in parking lot allowed.) Sites are primarily on sand. There is no on-site office. We are in camp 3+ times a day to check, clean, mow, etc. If you don't see us, but you need something...call and leave a message at 435-248-2001 or email. We have clean bathhouses with hot showers (closed daily from 11-1) and an outdoor sink for dishes. There is a picnic table at each site, and 3 communal propane BBQ grills. Sorry, but no campfires, propane fire rings or open flame allowed. Camp stoves are fine! Sorry, no dogs. We have two site types, Small Tent Sites and Large Tent Sites. Small Tent sites can accommodate one larger tent or two smaller tents with a maximum capacity of four people. Large Tent Sites can accommodate 2 larger tents or three to four smaller tents with a maximum capacity of 6 people. Due to our small size, this camp is not recommend for children under 3. Etiquette: Check-in/Quiet hrs: Check-in is after 12:00 noon and Check-out is 11:00 am. The bath house is closed for cleaning from 11:00am to 1:00pm. Please plan accordingly! Quiet hours in camp are from 10:00pm to 6:00am. Consider the many nearby places you can go if you want to stay up late, as a courtesy to your neighbors. ‍ About Us: We are an Urban Camp! Local noise includes but is not limited to; trucks, cars, motorcycles, 4X4’s, school bells, marching bands and perhaps even a parade! We are self-check in (no onsite office or staff), walk in and tent only. We are in camp 3+ times a day to check, clean, mow, etc. If you don't see us, but you need something or have a problem, call and leave a message or email. Campsite: Your tent and equipment must fit and be set up between the camp dividers and cannot be over the “No Camping Beyond This Point”. Please do not overflow into the neighboring campsites. Camp Tables and Site Use: Do not move the picnic tables, as they are chained down. Each camp table is numbered for that site. No cleaning, repairing or working on bicycles and/or motors on the picnic tables. No Motorcycles are allowed in the camp area for any reason. All motor vehicles and trailers must be in parking lot. No exceptions! Nature and The Environment: This is the desert! We have rocks, sand, dirt, sun, heat, cold, rain, wind, etc. Most campgrounds in the city area of Moab have the same desert aspects as we do; the difference is our close proximity to downtown. You are camping! Be prepared for bugs, insects, ants, spiders, Cottonwood beetles, caterpillars, lizards, deer, cotton from the trees, etc. Leaving food out or unsecured, attracts bugs and Ravens. Ravens are smart, they will wait until you leave and will get into everything except zippered tents, closed coolers, and locked cars, (at least thus far)! Plan accordingly. No dogs are allowed in the camp or parking lot. Before Booking Acknowledgement: Tent Only: No RVs, trailers, campers, or vehicles in camp. Park in the parking lot and use our handy carts to get your gear to your site. Sleeping in vehicles and in the parking lot is not allowed. Urban Campground: Our campground is right in the middle of beautiful downtown Moab. No Dogs: We love dogs, however, we don't allow them at our campground. 3 Years + We don't recommend our campground for kids under 3. No Camp Fires We do not allow campfires. Personal propane camp stoves are how most people prepare their meals. The campground has a few propane barbecue grills available for use.
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$31.50
 / night

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Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
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Desert camping in United States guide

Overview

With coastlines, alpine mountains, and verdant hillsides, America’s diverse terrain has something for everyone no matter what kind of camping you’re into—so it’s no surprise that more than 40 million people camp in America each year. The US has plenty of national parks (63 to be exact!) and a variety of landscapes and parks to choose from.

Where to go

Northeastern United States

Henry David Thoreau was famously smitten with his natural surroundings in Massachusetts—but the rest of the Northeast is pretty impressive, too. Consider Maine, which has an astonishing 3,500 miles of craggy coastline (That’s more than California has!). The extremely popular Acadia National Park has views for days thanks to gorgeous, pink granite cliffs, rocky beaches, and in the fall, spectacular foliage along the historic gravel carriage roads. Watch the day break from the summit of Cadillac Mountain—one of the first places in the United States to see the sunrise—or take a bracing dip in the waters of Sand Beach.

The Midwest

The Midwest is best known for its grassy, open spaces, but you can also camp around some incredible geographical attractions, particularly in South Dakota, where the legendary Badlands National Park houses rock formations and fossil beds, and Wind Cave National Park features one of the longest and densest caves in the world, with unique honeycomb-like boxwork formations. Above ground you’ll find the last remaining mixed grass prairie in the country—with elk, bison, and pronghorn sheep.

With more than 10,000 lakes, Minnesota is teeming with shoreline campsites, but Voyageurs National Park is by far the most impressive—to camp here, you actually have to arrive by boat. 

The Southern United States

Sure, the American South is known for its charming cities, but its outdoor escapes are equally superb. Chesapeake Bay explorations and bluff-side campsites around historic Williamsburg are major draws in Virginia, but the state’s true claim to fame is Shenandoah National Park, offering more than 500 miles of hiking trails (including 101 miles of the Appalachian Trail), as well as Skyline Drive with over 70 stunning overlooks of waterfalls, wilderness, and forests. Rambling streams, mist-covered mountains, and some of the most diverse plant and animal life in the country abound at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which straddles the borders of Tennessee and North Carolina

Head further south for some true backcountry adventures—tents and hammocks only—in South Carolina’s incredible Congaree National Park, which preserves the largest tract of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest left in the US. If it's an underwater adventure you’re after, boat down to Biscayne National Park in the northern Florida Keys and get your fill of coral reefs, dive sites, mangrove forests, and wildlife watching.

The Southwest

The Grand Canyon is, without a doubt, the premier natural attraction in the Southwest, but several other natural phenomena make the region worthy of a visit. Big Bend National Park in Texas has very minimal light pollution, making it one of the best places in the country for stargazing, while New Mexico is home to White Sands National Park and its rolling dunes of rare, white gypsum sand that you can hike, tour on horseback, and even sled down. Travel further south through the state to Carlsbad Caverns National Park, a must-see labyrinth of more than 100 caves and stalactites. Pitch a tent in the backcountry (no lodging in the park) or set up your RV in the surrounding BLM land.

America's West Coast

West coast, best coast? Boasting wild landscapes and natural wonders at (almost) every turn, some argue the American West is a true camper’s paradise. America’s first national park, Yellowstone covers parts of Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho, and features more than 300 hypothermal geysers, including Old Faithful. For majestic scenery, try California, where you can find massive sequoia trees, waterfalls, and granite rock formations in Yosemite National Park, or panoramic views of stark desert at Joshua Tree National Park, named for the iconic, twisted, trees for which the park gets its name. One of the most ecologically diverse parks in the Pacific Northwest, Washington state’s Olympic National Park features three distinct ecosystems: glacier-capped mountains, rainforests, and the Pacific Coast. Stay at a campsite near the ocean and you might even catch a glimpse of humpback, sperm, or blue whales. 

Even farther west, visitors flock to Haleakalā National Park on the Hawaiian island of Maui to see spectacular sunrises and sunsets from the summit of the park’s namesake dormant volcano. Equally as magical are the glaciers in Alaska’s Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, where you can spend your days exploring misty fjords and your nights sleeping under the stars with puffins and whales nearby.